Summary: Jesus taught with authority and truth He entered the world with grace and truth. Listen!

The No. 3 song on the Christian Music charts today is by Matthew West entitled "Truth Be Told" and its tells about some lies being said in the social gatherings but "But truth be told . . . the truth is rarely told.". So the question is can the truth be realized in our world today? What is truth? Can anyone speak the truth and how do we know it is actually the truth?

The Bible says, "The law was given by Moses, but gcrace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Two powerful words to describe Jesus life. Psalms 85:10 says, "Mercy and truth are met together. and righteousness and peace come together." It's a prayer for restoring the people of Israel back to a New Covenant after being held captive for 70 yrs. Now Jesus comes to restore peace with the world by His fullness of grace and truth.

Someone said soduim and chorline are not powerful by themselves but when coming together, they will explode. The same is true with grace and truth. The coming of Jesus is like an explosion! Jesus did not come to tell us about grace but is Grace Himself. He did not come to teach us about the truth but is Truth Himself. He is the bridge connecting grace and truth together. In Jesus we see "Grace is true and Truth is gracious!"

The Bible encourages us to speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15) Jesus lived that type of life. Every time he spoke to the people he would say, "Truly I tell you" or "Verily, I say unto you" or "I tell you the truth." What he is about to say is VERY IMPORTANT and you better listen. He is going to tell us the truth about God who could work wherever, or whenever, or with whom ever He wants and it is our responsiblity to follow His truthfulness.

Today people will respond by saying "There is no such as absolute truth, there is no such thing as right or wrong." l

So the question is left for us to decide what is truth for me? For me it is very important to our lives that gives us the assuarnce it is real, not a fake! Truth is something that we must have in our life to exist. Jesus said I AM THE TRUTH! And I believe Him. Everything He said was the truth. WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, OF THE FATHER< FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH!

Conclusion: Back to song, "Truth Be Told". Matt West sings, "So let the truth be told . . Can I really stand here unashamed . . Knowing that your love for me won't change? . . . Oh God, if that is true . . . Then let the truth be told." Amen and Amen.

Presented By: Larry L. Vollink, retired chaplain/pastor; Cedar Springs, MI, (616) 655-4129 lawrenceV@comcast.net